ECOWAS Parliament Probes South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

 

The ECOWAS Parliament has initiated a formal investigation into rising insecurity across West Africa and the surge of xenophobic violence targeting African migrants in South Africa.

The decision was reached during its 2026 first ordinary session held in Abuja, following growing alarm among lawmakers over cross-border safety and regional stability.

Proceedings intensified after a motion was introduced by Ghanaian legislator Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who urged the assembly to treat the matter as urgent. 

He argued that recent incidents reflect deeper structural failures in safeguarding citizens within the bloc.

Consequently, the parliament directed its political affairs committee to carry out a comprehensive review of violent attacks in countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso, alongside anti-foreigner violence reported in South Africa.

Lawmakers expressed concern that insecurity is disrupting economic activity and eroding confidence in regional cooperation. 

“When traders and travellers become targets, the entire integration project is weakened,” Afenyo-Markin said, stressing that urgent intervention is required.

He referenced a February attack in northern Burkina Faso involving foreign traders, describing it as a grim example of how militant violence now affects ordinary economic actors. 

According to him, such incidents go beyond statistics and strike at the core of livelihoods and regional commerce.

Attention was also drawn to developments in Mali, where a high-profile attack reportedly destabilised key trade corridors. 

The lawmaker noted that disruptions along these routes are already affecting movement and raising safety concerns for citizens engaging in cross-border activities.

Moreover, the debate exposed long-standing gaps in the implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol. 

Despite its adoption decades ago, lawmakers said citizens still encounter harassment and inconsistent enforcement at various borders.

“The promise of seamless movement exists largely on paper,” Afenyo-Markin said. “In practice, many citizens face delays, intimidation, and uncertainty.”

Beyond West Africa, the parliament addressed escalating xenophobic incidents in major South African cities, where foreign nationals have reportedly been attacked, displaced, and stripped of their businesses. 

The development has drawn condemnation but also calls for more decisive action.

While acknowledging statements made by Cyril Ramaphosa condemning such violence, lawmakers argued that rhetoric alone is insufficient. 

“Public condemnation must be matched with visible enforcement and accountability,” the Ghanaian MP stated.

He further called on South African authorities to ensure transparent investigations and swift prosecution of offenders. 

In addition, the parliament resolved to formally engage both South Africa’s legislature and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to press for coordinated action.

However, the broader message from the session was clear: regional integration cannot thrive without security and mutual protection. 

Lawmakers emphasised that ECOWAS must strengthen its mechanisms to guarantee the safety of its citizens both within and beyond the sub-region.

The committee is expected to present its findings in subsequent sittings, with recommendations likely to shape future regional security and migration policies.